ToP-DNJ, a Selective Inhibitor of Endoplasmic Reticulum α-Glucosidase II Exhibiting Antiflaviviral Activity

ACS Chem Biol. 2018 Jan 19;13(1):60-65. doi: 10.1021/acschembio.7b00870. Epub 2017 Dec 5.

Abstract

Iminosugars have therapeutic potential against a range of diseases, due to their efficacy as glycosidase inhibitors. A major challenge in the development of iminosugar drugs lies in making a compound that is selective for the glycosidase associated with a given disease. We report the synthesis of ToP-DNJ, an antiviral iminosugar-tocopherol conjugate. Tocopherol was incorporated into the design of the iminosugar in order to direct the drug to the liver and immune cells, specific tissues of interest for antiviral therapy. ToP-DNJ inhibits ER α-glucosidase II at low micromolar concentrations and selectively accumulates in the liver in vivo. In cellular assays, the drug showed efficacy exclusively in immune cells of the myeloid lineage. Taken together, these data demonstrate that inclusion of a native metabolite into an iminosugar provides selectivity with respect to target enzyme, target cell, and target tissue.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 1-Deoxynojirimycin / chemistry
  • Administration, Oral
  • Animals
  • Antiviral Agents / chemical synthesis
  • Antiviral Agents / chemistry*
  • Antiviral Agents / pharmacology*
  • Dengue Virus / drug effects
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum / enzymology*
  • Glycoside Hydrolase Inhibitors / administration & dosage
  • Glycoside Hydrolase Inhibitors / chemistry
  • Glycoside Hydrolase Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • HL-60 Cells
  • Hepacivirus / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Inhibitory Concentration 50
  • Liver / drug effects
  • Male
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Rats
  • Tissue Distribution
  • Tocopherols / chemistry
  • alpha-Glucosidases / metabolism

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Glycoside Hydrolase Inhibitors
  • 1-Deoxynojirimycin
  • alpha-Glucosidases
  • Tocopherols